Beijing Bicycle

Wang Xiaoshuai's film Beijing Bicycle is ultimately a film about the effects of "modernization" in China. I'd like you to read this essay and discuss the film's narrative and what you feel is the implied meaning of the film as a whole. Choose one scene and analyze the scene fully and cinematically and tell me why you chose the scene and what is the scene's relationship to the film as a whole.

The Story of Qiu Ju

Think about the presentation of Qiu Ju and Meizi in the film. In one paragraph, discuss how both of these women are represented cinematically. In your next paragraph discuss how the countryside and the city are represented cinematically. In your last paragraph, tell me if you liked the film and what you liked best about it. Include also any films or filmmakers you would compare it to. I will give extra credit to anyone who watches another Fifth Generation film and writes one paragraph on their film of choice.

High Noon and HUAC

As I stated in class, High Noon is an allegory for what was going on in the United States at the time regarding the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). You might want to read through this short article on HUAC (and anything else you find as well)...

http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX3048900288&v=2.1&u=nysl_we_bcsd&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w

Discuss in 2 paragraphs how Fred Zinneman portrays this allegory cinematically through the story of Will Kane and his quest to enlist help to crush Miller and his gang.

Also, in one paragraph, discuss the use of time and how Zinneman portrays time passage cinematically in his film.

Due: January 3

The Searchers & the American Indian Portrayal on Film

Think about the portrayal of the American Indian and the portrayal of the whites in The Searchers. Discuss in a hearty paragraph how John Ford cinematically portrays each group. Then think specifically about Ethan and Scar and use your second paragraph to discuss how Ford cinematically portrays each of them specifically. In your last paragraph, discuss how the American Indian has been portrayed in film as you learned in Reel Injun. Feel free to write more than I've asked. This is a huge subject. Extra credit goes to those who comment on a classmates' comment or comments.

DUE: Friday, December 14

Mean Streets

Discuss CINEMATICALLY the themes of redemption and religion in Mean Streets.

Due: Monday, December 10

Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver is a film about many things, but overall it is about the theme of isolation and focuses on one particular loner in a big city who can be construed as an antihero. It is a film that draws from many genres: the Western, horror, noir, and was also influenced by the films of the Italians (DeSica, Rosselini, Fellini).

Discuss, in at least two paragraphs, the themes of isolation and/or the antihero and how Scorsese's film is influenced by the different genres and by the Italians.

Due: Friday, November 30. Along with pages 1-6 of your Independent Study!

Amarcord

This should be easy. Choose a scene in the film (any scene!) and analyze it in depth. Be sure to discuss its sociocultural influences, why you chose the scene, and how the scene relates to the film as a whole. Your response should be thoughtful and along the lines of what you'll do next month. Be thorough--at least 3 paragraphs.

Due: Monday, November 19.